History and origin of Spa Treatments

Holistic wellness today is no longer simply a fad but a concept tourism offering that is here to stay, but do you know where this model of total wellbeing sprung from? Here's a quick re-cap on the origin of rejuvenation therapies around the world and in India:

The nature and scope of SPA therapy: what ancient rejuvenation treatment concepts grew from and how they became popular as they are known today.

The concept of a Spa or health center goes far back in history to the days of war followed by sessions of drinking, merry-making and feasting during the Roman Empire when battle weary legionnaires tried to find a way to recover from the hardships of military life and discipline. Many were the physical wounds and ailments that the mighty Roman warriors suffered and ancient druids found herbal answers to cure their ills; however, with their great love for living life to the lees and exploring the expansive Roman empire and countryside, the people soon identified hot wells or springs and built baths called aquae, which proved to be beneficial in healing the aches and pains associated with the rigors of battle and senate life.

Soon, the concept of natural hot springs and bathing grounds came to be more personalized for the elite Roman citizens and special bathing treatments were planned by the Roman equivalent of personal maids and valets, under the keen supervision of highly experienced and knowledgeable physicians. These specialized health care promotion sessions that included steam, hot and cold water bathing as well as milk-and-roses or essential oil or warm oil massage sessions came to be referred to as SPA therapy, or Senus Per Aquam if you are getting technical with it. The word spawned from combined restorative health care through physical cleansing aimed at total body, mind and spirit relaxation thus became SPA therapy as we know it today and mostly involves much of the age-old tradition of achieving good health and rejuvenation by or through water.

Modern health care, detoxification and anti-stress, anti-aging, total wellbeing practices: Spa therapy today

The fundamental Roman concept of spa and water-therapy for cleansing the body of toxins, ailments and renewing strength and vigor raised the modern equivalent of contemporary and aesthetically designed International Spa travel packages, but India being a 5000 year old civilization already had some claim to Spa fame in ancient times as well. Rishis (sages) and Rajahs (kings) and all other citizens in between all gave importance to the practice of daily bathing in hot or cool waters, be it in natural pools or in the privacy of a customized bathing ghats (enclosed tank area with rock-cut steps leading to the bathing area). However, keeping in mind the needs of modern travelers to India, both International and Indian Ayuvedic spa developers have modernized the concepts of public bathing or cleansing centers to a more personalized and private experience that incorporates the essential elements of steam baths, herbal drinks, use of warm oils in massage therapies as well as any other exercise that aids in the relaxation of mind, fitness of the body and inner sense of wellness.

From the Purist's point of view, it is usually argued that Ayurvedic health care centers are not at the same level as ancient SPA resorts since a culture difference among European and Indian concepts for holistic healthcare pertinent to Spa therapy defines treatement involving water, steam, herbs, weeds, salts and even mud while the Indian system of Ayuveda, practiced by most Indian Spa centers does not necessarily incorporate all above elements, but has the same aim of offering rejuvenation and enriching the quality physical and spiritual health, beauty and well being.

Whatever the argument for Indian Ayurveda and Spa centers offering combination packages that are adaptive to international standards and tastes, the benefits of a scientifically prepared total wellbeing plan that incorporates the best mix of Ayurvedic and other techniques such as aromatherapy and hydrotherapy coupled with yoga and Vedic discourses are hard to disregard for all that have experienced the tranquility it affords. Pampering the soul and indulging the inner self is part of the restorative and regenerative advantages this complete refocusing of energies that investing in a special Indian Ayurvedic Spa treatment package offers you!

Some Cool Spa treatments you could consider while in India: SPA-ing your way to good health with a wellness holiday package!

There are many new and region-specific Ayurveda and Spa treatment options available to foreign travelers to India today and so when you consider the benefits of these, remember to ask for other off-season or twin-booking/group booking advantages in context with discounts or add-ins that may be possible. Apart from getting the instant herbal nirvana deal that genuine Indian Ayurveda centers offer Spa customers, there well may be scope for you to get a bargain for a less in demand but equally restorative treatments or even a bulk booking low-price wellness holiday package deal. This way you can hope to get a simple massage thrown in at lower costs with a more delicate aromatherapy facial at leading Ayurveda and Spa centers or combine the goodness of wet treatments (wet table with herbal shower and/or hydrotherapy) and dry treatments (oil massage, body wraps fragrant soaks) to avail the best of both worlds: Indian wellness therapies (such as Ayurveda and Yoga) and International wellness techniques like Reiki, Oxygen inhalation, Dietary supplements and frequent assessments by a Personal Assistant at the healthcare center.

Most Ayurveda and Spa centers in India today offer a host of services that are geared towards attracting the foreign tourist looking to team up fitness needs with body-pampering treatments and thus, wellness holiday tours in India are being constantly redesigned along the lines of integrating simple but stylish living, authentic Indian cuisine, sampling of other activities such as going on treks, river rafting, back-water cruising along with complete Indian massage and hydrotherapy sessions at beautiful Indian locales.

Packaged such that each tour helps relax the mind (through yoga and other forms of meditation), heal the body through a healthy diet regime and re-charge the spirit through perfect and exotic Indian ambience, all these essential ingredients of a complete wellness holiday option let you choose a wellness vacation in the hills, by the sea or on the backwaters.